Ice maker, refrigerator comprising same, and method for controlling ice maker heater

ABSTRACT

An ice maker enables a refrigerator to recognize the operation of an ice separation heater when the ice maker operates the ice separation heater. A refrigerator can reduce or stop the power supplied to electronic components when an ice maker notifies the operation of an ice separation heater. The ice maker includes a tray for receiving liquid, an ejector for discharging ice frozen in the tray, a first heater for providing heat to the tray, and an ice maker control unit. When the heater operates, the ice maker enables a main control unit of the refrigerator to recognize the completion of ice making or the initiation of the operation of the heater.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an ice maker, arefrigerator having the same, and a method for controlling an ice makerheater, and more particularly, to an ice maker which may notify arefrigerator of an operation of an ice separation heater, a refrigeratorwhich may reduce or stop an operation of an electronic component duringthe operation of the ice separation heater, and a method for controllinguse of electricity of other components to be limited or mixed during theoperation of the ice separation heater in order to secure a DC currentrequired during an operation of a heater of the ice maker.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a refrigerator includes a refrigerator compartment that keepsfood refrigerated and a freezer compartment that keeps food frozen. Atthis point, an ice maker for producing ice is installed in the freezercompartment or the refrigerator compartment.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional ice maker for arefrigerator, and FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which a heater isformed in a lower portion of a conventional ice maker for arefrigerator.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional ice maker 10 for arefrigerator includes an ice making tray 11, an ejector 13, a controlunit 15, a side guide 17, an ice bank 19, a water supply pipe 21, awater supply cup 23, an ice full sensing lever 25, and a heater 27.

The conventional ice maker 10 for a refrigerator may supply water to anice making space within the ice making tray 11 through the water supplypipe 21 and the water supply cup 23, and then start to perform an icemaking operation on the supplied water. When the ice making operation iscompleted, the conventional ice maker 10 for a refrigerator may slightlydissolve ice firmly attached to an inner surface of the ice making tray11 by operating the heater 27 installed at a lower portion of the icemaking tray 11. At this point, the heater 27 is constituted of, forexample, a sheath heater and is formed in a U-shape from the lowerportion of the ice making tray 11. Next, when the conventional ice maker10 for a refrigerator pushes ice within the ice making tray 11 up byrotating the ejector 13 in a clockwise direction, the ice slidesdownward on the side guide 17 formed at one side of the ice making tray11 and is accommodated in an ice bank 19.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, in recent years, film heaters 106 and108 have been mainly used as heaters in order to improve adhesionbetween the ice making tray 11 and the heaters, and the heaters areseparated into a first heater and a second heater and installed on bothside portions or lower portions of an ice making tray to effectivelyseparate ice from the ice making tray in order to effectively performice separation.

However, in order to discharge the ice made in the ice making tray 11 tothe ice bank 19 using the ejector 13 in the above-described structure, amotor (not shown) for rotating the ejector 13 and the ice separationheater installed in close contact with one side of the ice making tray11 uses high power of 145 W using AC power and consumes much power, andwhen ice separation is performed by replacing the ice separation heaterwith a DC heater, a DC current required for the DC heater should beadditionally secured from a DC power unit built into a refrigerator orthe like with an ice maker installed therein resulting in an increase ina product price or the like.

In addition, generally, an ice maker may be mounted inside arefrigerator and receive a supply of water, and when water is frozen bycold air inside the refrigerator, the ice maker may automaticallydischarge the frozen water to an ice storage box using an ejector. Atthis point, the ice maker may apply heat to the tray using an iceseparation heater so that the ice can be easily separated from the tray.

Meanwhile, a refrigerator may cool air inside the refrigerator using arefrigeration cycle including a compressor, a condenser, a decompressor,and an evaporator, and evenly spread the cooled air inside therefrigerator using a cooling fan disposed in the vicinity of theevaporator and a cold air blowing fan disposed in a refrigeratorcompartment or the like.

However, an operational timing of the ice separation heater of the icemaker is determined by a control unit of the ice maker which is operatedindependently of the refrigerator. That is, when it is determined thatwater stored in a tray of the ice maker is completely frozen and becomesice using an ice making sensor or the like attached to the tray of theice maker, the control unit of the ice maker may supply power to the iceseparation heater and cause an increase in power consumption. That is,when the control unit of the ice maker operates the ice separationheater while a main control unit of the refrigerator operates acompressor motor, a cooling fan, or the like of the refrigeration cyclein order to lower a temperature inside the refrigerator, since an amountof current is increased and cold air is supplied to the tray, an effectof the ice separation heater applying heat to the tray may be halved.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

The present disclosure is directed to providing an ice maker which mayenable a refrigerator to recognize an operation of an ice separationheater when the ice maker operates the ice separation heater, and arefrigerator which may reduce or stop a supply of power to an electroniccomponent when an ice maker notifies the refrigerator of an operation ofan ice separation heater.

The present disclosure is also directed to providing a method forcontrolling an amount of current supplied to a motor, a heater, anelectronic component, and the like using an amount of current of limitedDC power to driving a DC heater in a cross-management method or amixed-management method, and an ice maker operated using the method.

Technical Solution

One aspect of the present disclosure provides an ice maker for arefrigerator including: a tray that accommodates a liquid; an ejectorthat discharges ice frozen in the tray; a first heater that providesheat to the tray; and an ice maker control unit, wherein the ice makerenables a main control unit of the refrigerator to recognize acompletion of ice making or a start of an operation of the first heaterwhen the first heater is operated.

The ice maker control unit may enable the main control unit to recognizethe completion of ice making or the start of the operation of the firstheater.

The ice maker control unit may enable the main control unit to recognizethe completion of ice making or the start of the operation of the firstheater through a power line for receiving power from the main controlunit.

The ice maker for a refrigerator may further include a motor thatsupplies power to the ejector, wherein the ice maker control unitenables the main control unit to recognize an operation of the motorwhen the motor is operated.

The ice maker control unit may enable the main control unit to recognizea supply of the liquid when the liquid is supplied to the tray.

The ice maker for the refrigerator may further include an ice makingsensor that detects whether the liquid in the tray is frozen, whereinthe ice maker control unit notifies the main control unit of thecompletion of ice making when the ice maker control unit receives asignal of the ice making sensor.

The ice maker control unit may notify the main control unit of thecompletion of ice making through a power line for receiving power fromthe main control unit.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator whichincludes an ice maker for a refrigerator and a main control unit.

The main control unit may reduce or block power supplied to anelectronic component of the refrigerator when the main control unitrecognizes a start of an operation of the first heater by the ice makercontrol unit.

The main control unit may reduce or stop a supply of power to anelectronic component of the refrigerator when the main control unitrecognizes an operation of a motor for supplying power to the ejector.

The electronic component may be at least one of a compressor motor, ablowing fan for blowing cold air, and a second heater mounted in therefrigerator.

Still another aspect of the present disclosure provides a refrigeratorincluding an ice maker, wherein the ice maker includes a tray thataccommodates a liquid, an ejector that discharges ice frozen in thetray, a first heater that provides heat to the tray, and an ice makercontrol unit, the refrigerator including: a main control unit thatmeasures or controls a current supplied to the ice maker.

The main control unit may compare a magnitude of the measured currentwith a predetermined value and reduce or stop a supply of power to anelectronic component of the refrigerator when the magnitude is largerthan the predetermined value.

The electronic component may be at least one of a compressor motor, ablowing fan for blowing cold air, and a second heater mounted in therefrigerator.

The ice separation heater may be a planar heater.

DC power may be supplied to the ice separation heater while the icemaker performs an ice separating operation.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure provides an ice maker for arefrigerator including: an ice making tray that accommodates ice makingwater; a driving unit; and an ice separation heater that is attached tothe ice making tray, wherein a required amount of power is supplied tothe ice separation heater by controlling an electronic component of therefrigerator during an ice separating operation of the ice maker.

A further aspect of the present disclosure provides an ice maker thattransmits a signal indicating performance of an ice separating operationto a refrigerator.

A further aspect of the present disclosure provides an ice makerincluding an ice making tray that accommodates ice making water, adriving unit, and an ice separation heater, wherein power supplied tothe ice separation heater is pulse width modulation (PWM)-controlled.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional ice maker for arefrigerator;

FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which a heater is formed in a lowerportion of a conventional ice maker for a refrigerator;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a conventional ice maker;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an inner structure of a coolingdevice which includes an ice maker according to the present inventionand uses a method for controlling a heater of an ice maker according tothe present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of an ice maker according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an ice maker according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to anotherembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to stillanother embodiment of the present invention.

MODES OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of an ice maker according to thepresent invention will be described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings. However, the embodiments are merely exemplaryembodiments, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

When it is determined that a detailed description of a known art relatedto the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of thepresent invention while describing the present invention, the detaileddescription thereof will be omitted. Further, the terminology describedbelow is defined in consideration of functions in the present inventionand may vary according to a user's or operator's intention or usualpractice. Thus, the meanings of the terminology should be interpretedbased on the overall context of the present specification.

The technical idea of the present invention is determined by the claims,and the exemplary embodiments herein are provided so that the technicalidea of the present invention will be efficiently explained to thoseskilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an inner structure of a coolingdevice which includes an ice maker according to the present inventionand uses a method for controlling a heater of an ice maker according tothe present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the cooling device includes an ice maker 100 in anupper portion thereof that receives a supply of water or the like,freezes the water, and stores the frozen water; a cold air blowing fan200 that is used to circulate cold air inside a cooler; and a compressor300 that is used to compress a refrigerant of the cooling device.

In addition, in FIG. 4, the ice maker 100, the cold air blowing fan 200,and the compressor 300 are shown as electronic components of the coolingdevice, but it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that otherelectronic components may be included in the cooling device.

For example, the ice maker 100 may be made of PP (polypropylene) oraluminum.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of an ice maker according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the ice maker 100 includes an ice making tray 11,an ejector 13, a first heater 121, a second heater 122, a temperaturesensor 130, a position sensor 131, and a power control operating system140 (see FIG. 6).

The ejector 13 includes a plurality of ejector fins 13-2 that aredisposed to be spaced apart from one another along an axis perpendicularto the drawing in order to push ice of the ice making tray 11 during anice separating operation; a shaft 13-1 that is disposed to be rotatedtogether with the ejector fins 13-2; and a motor 110 (see FIG. 6) thatrotates the shaft 13-1 during the ice separating operation.

The ice making tray 11 has an ice making space that may accommodatewater therein. An inner space of the ice making tray 11 is divided intoa plurality of ice making spaces by a plurality of partition walls. Atthis point, the divided ice making spaces inside the ice making tray 11are formed to correspond to the ejector fins 13-2, respectively.

An ice separation heater for slightly dissolving ice frozen on an innersurface of the ice making tray 11 by heating the ice making tray 11 sothat ice separation can smoothly proceed during the ice separatingoperation, that is, a first heater 121 and a second heater 122, areinstalled below the ice making tray 11 to be in close contact with theice making tray 11. The first heater 121 and the second heater 122 areseparately connected to the power control operating system 140 so as toreceive a supply of a current from the power control operating system140 (see FIG. 6). An amount of heat generated by the ice separationheater may vary depending on an amount of the supplied current. Thepower control operating system 140 may control power supplied to thefirst and second heaters 121 and 122, for example, with PWM (pulse widthmodulation).

In the present embodiment, two ice separation heaters 121 and 122 areprovided, but, one or at least three ice separation heaters installed ona lower portion of the ice making tray 11 may be provided as necessary,and an attachment position of the ice separation heater may also bevaried.

In addition, the ice separation heaters 121 and 122 may be constitutedof one or more of a film heater, a sheath heater, a cartridge heater, acord heater, a planar heater, and a coating heater.

The temperature sensor 130 for measuring a temperature of the ice makingtray 11 is mounted at one side of the ice making tray 11. Thetemperature sensor 130 is connected to the power control operatingsystem 140 to transmit a measured value thereto (see FIG. 6).

Gears for transmitting a driving force of the motor 110 to the shaft13-1 of the ejector 13 are provided above the ice making tray 11, andthe printed circuit board (PCB) position sensor 131 is inserted into anyone gear of these gears and mounted thereat to detect a magnetic fieldof a magnet rotated together with the gear. The position sensor 131 isconnected to the power control operating system 140 and transmits themeasured value thereto (see FIG. 6).

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an ice maker according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the ice maker according to the preferred embodimentof the present invention includes an A/D converter, a power controloperating system 140, a motor 110 of an ejector 100, ice separationheaters 121 and 122, a temperature sensor 130, a position sensor 131,and a timer 132.

The power control operating system 140 receives a supply of a currentfrom a DC power unit, for example, the A/D converter, a rectifier, asmoothing circuit, or the like.

The power control operating system 140 receives signals from thetemperature sensor 130 that measures a temperature of an ice making tray11 and transmits the measured value, the position sensor 131, which isinserted into a gear for transmitting a driving force from the motor 110to an ejector shaft 13-1, detects a magnetic field of a magnet rotatedtogether with the gear and transmits a measured signal, and the timer132 notifies the power control operating system 140 of a time elapsedfrom the start of an ice separating operation.

The power control operating system 140 controls a current supplied tothe motor 110 of the ejector 100, the first heater 121, the secondheater 122, a compressor 300, and a blowing fan 200 based on the signalsreceived from the temperature sensor 130, the position sensor 131, andthe timer 132.

For example, the power control operating system 140 may start an iceseparating operation for discharging frozen ice from the ice making tray11 based on a signal measured by the temperature sensor 130, and thencross-manage and distribute power of the ice separation motor 110 of theejector 100 and the ice separation heaters 121 and 122. That is, acurrent is not supplied to the ice separation heaters 121 and 122 whilea current is supplied to the ice separation motor 110 of the ejector100, and a current is supplied to the ice separation heaters 121 and 122when a current is not supplied to the ice separation motor 110. Forexample, a current is supplied only to the ice separation heater afterstarting the ice separating operation, and, after ice is dissolved to acertain extent, a current is supplied only to the ice separation motor110 until ejector fins 13-2 approach the ice. Next, when the approach ofthe ejector fins 13-2 to the ice is completed, a current is suppliedonly to all of the ice separation heaters or the first heater 121. Next,a current is supplied only to the motor 110 in order to rotate theejector fins 13-2 again, and when the ejector fins 13-2 arrive at thevicinity of a portion where the second heater 122 is installed, acurrent is supplied only to the second heater 122 again, and then acurrent is supplied only to the motor 110 again after a certain periodof time has elapsed.

Alternatively, the power control operating system 140 may mixedly manageand distribute the power of the ice separation motor 110 and the iceseparation heaters 121 and 122. For example, the power control operatingsystem 140 may increase or increase and then decrease the currentsupplied to the ice separation motor 110 while the fins 13-2 of theejector 100 approach ice of the ice making tray 11, pass through the icemaking tray 11, and make one revolution, and may decrease the currentsupplied to the ice separation heaters 121 and 122 in a stepwise orcontinuous manner from an initial maximum value.

Alternatively, the power control operating system 140 may simultaneouslymanage and distribute power of some of the ice separation motor 110 andthe ice separation heaters 121 and 122. For example, the power controloperating system 140 may increase or increase and then decrease thecurrent supplied to the ice separation motor 110 in a stepwise orcontinuous manner along each of steps including, for example, a stepfocusing on dissolving ice and a step focusing on discharging ice whilethe fins 13-2 of the ejector 100 approach the ice of the ice making tray11, pass through the ice making tray 11, and make one revolution, andmay decrease the current supplied to the ice separation heaters 121 and122 in a stepwise or continuous manner from the initial maximum value orsupply the current to the first heater 121 and the second heater 122with a time difference therebetween.

In the above manner, by adjusting a current distribution amount betweenthe ice separation motor 110 and the ice separation heaters 121 and 122throughout the ice separating operation or for each step, for example,according to a position of the ejector fins 13-2, it is possible toefficiently use a certain amount of current and prevent an increase inpower consumption due to a large amount of current that simultaneouslyflows to the ice separation motor and the ice separation heaters. Inaddition, by such current management and distribution, a temperature ofthe ice making tray 11 immediately after ice is discharged from the icemaking tray 11 may be kept low, and thereby the ice making tray 11 maybe cooled again for subsequent ice-making within a shorter time.

Alternatively, the power control operating system 140 may initiallysupply a larger amount of current to the first heater 121 than thesecond heater 122 after starting the ice separating operation, andincrease the amount of current supplied to the second heater 122 whilegradually decreasing the amount of current supplied to the first heater121, or may supply a current to the second heater 122 without supplyinga current to the first heater 121, that is, by turning the first heater121 off. That is, the power control operating system 140 may perform asupply of full load power and a supply of power below the full loadpower on the ice separation heaters for each condition.

By performing the supply of full load power and the supply of powerbelow the full load power on the ice separation heaters for eachcondition, it is possible to further enhance the above-described effect.

Alternatively, the power control operating system 140 may receive avalue of the position sensor 131 after starting the ice separatingoperation and estimate the position of the fins 13-2 of the ejector 13.The power control operating system 140 may cross-manage and distributethe power of the ice separation motor 110 and the ice separation heaters121 and 122, simultaneously manage and distribute power of some of theice separation motor 110 and the ice separation heaters 121 and 122, ormixedly manage and distribute the power of the ice separation motor 110and the ice separation heaters 121 and 122 by using the estimatedposition of the fins 13-2 of the ejector 13.

Alternatively, after the start of the ice separating operation, thepower control operating system 140 may use, for example, a signal fromthe timer 132 and cross-manage and distribute the power of theabove-described ice separation motor 110 and ice separation heaters 121and 122, simultaneously manage and distribute power of some of the iceseparation motor 110 and the ice separation heaters 121 and 122, ormixedly manage and distribute the power of the ice separation motor 110and the ice separation heaters 121 and 122 based on this signal.

Alternatively, after starting the ice separating operation, the powercontrol operating system 140 may use, for example, a signal from thetemperature sensor 130 and cross-manage and distribute the power of theabove-described ice separation motor 110 and ice separation heaters 121and 122, simultaneously manage and distribute power of some of the iceseparation motor 110 and the ice separation heaters 121 and 122, ormixedly manage and distribute the power of the ice separation motor 110and the ice separation heaters 121 and 122 based on this signal.

Alternatively, after starting the ice separating operation, the powercontrol operating system 140 may more accurately estimate the positionof the fins 13-2 using, for example, signals from any two or three ofthe temperature sensor 130, the position sensor 131, and the timer 132and cross-manage and distribute the power of the above-described iceseparation motor 110 and ice separation heaters 121 and 122,simultaneously manage and distribute power of some of the ice separationmotor 110 and the ice separation heaters 121 and 122, or mixedly manageand distribute the power of the ice separation motor 110 and the iceseparation heaters 121 and 122 using the estimated position.

In addition, the power control operating system 140 may use a method ofmanaging and distributing the power of the ice separation motor 110 andthe ice separation heaters 121 and 122 in order to manage and distributethe power of the ice separation heater and electronic components of thecooling device, for example, the compressor 300 and the blowing fan 200.For example, by cross-managing and distributing the power of the iceseparation heaters 121 and 122 and the compressor 300, it is possible tocut off and control a current supplied to the compressor 300 while acurrent is supplied to the ice separation heaters 121 and 122.

In the above manner, the power control operating system 140 may operatea DC heater at maximum capacity using a limited DC current by managingand distributing power of the electronic components of the coolingdevice such as the ice separation heaters 121 and 122, the compressor300, and the like.

FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, a refrigerator 400 according to another embodimentof the present invention may include a power supply unit 421, a maincontrol unit 420, electronic components 422, and an ice maker 415.

The electronic components 422 of the refrigerator may include at leastone of a compressor motor 424 of a compressor (not shown) constituting acooling cycle of refrigerator, a cold air blowing fan 423 disposed to beadjacent to an evaporator (not shown) constituting the cooling cycle,another cold air blowing fan (not shown) that is arranged inside therefrigerator to circulate cold air, and a heater that is arranged insidethe refrigerator to remove, for example, frost.

The main control unit 420 of the refrigerator may receive a supply of acurrent from the power supply unit 421 and appropriately supply thereceived current to the electronic components 422 and the ice maker 415.Alternatively, the main control unit 420 may control power supplieddirectly from the power supply unit 421 to the electronic components 422and the ice maker 415.

The ice maker 415 may include a tray (not shown) that receives a supplyof liquid, an ejector (not shown) that discharges ice frozen in thetray, a motor 411 that provides a driving force to the ejector, an iceseparation heater 412 that applies heat to the tray, an ice makingsensor 413 that transmits a signal for determining a frozen state to acontrol unit 410, and the control unit 410 that receives the signal ofthe ice making sensor 413 and controls power supplied to the iceseparation heater 412 and the motor 411.

The ice separation heater 412 may be any one of a planar heater, a cordheater, and a flexible heater. The planar heater may generate heat overa predetermined area. The planar heater may be manufactured in a thinform, for example, with a thickness of more than 0 and 1 mm or less. Theplanar heater may be manufactured in a thin form to reduce heat capacitythereof, and thereby quickly increase a temperature of the planar heaterto a predetermined temperature. In this case, power consumption of theplanar heater may be reduced. A positive temperature coefficient (PTC)heater may be used as the planar heater, but the present invention isnot limited thereto.

In addition, the planar heater may include a heating body, a firstinsulating member that is provided to surround the heating body on onesurface of the heating body, and a second insulating member that isprovided to surround the heating body on the other surface of theheating body. For example, the heating body may be provided over thewhole area of the planar heater in a zigzag form. A thin metal film suchas a thin stainless film, a thin platinum film, a thin tungsten film, athin nickel film, or the like may be used as the heating body, however,the heating body is not limited thereto. The heating body may be formedby performing thin film coating on carbon nano tubes, a carbon nanoplate, or the like. A pad for receiving power from the outside may beprovided at the heating body. The first insulating member and the secondinsulating member may be made of a polyimide or grapheme material. Inthis case, it is possible to stably protect the heating body even when atemperature of the heating body is increased to a high temperature orexternal shock is applied to the heating body. The first insulatingmember and the second insulating member may be provided in the form of afilm. The first insulating member and the second insulating member maybe respectively attached to one surface of the heating body and theother surface thereof.

Meanwhile, the flexible heater may include a heat generating portion andan insulating portion that is formed to surround the heat generatingportion. The heat generating portion is a portion that generates heatwhen a voltage is applied thereto. In the heat generating portion, ageneral heating wire (for example, a nickel-chrome wire, a copper-nickelwire, or the like) may be used. However, the heat generating portion isnot limited thereto and may be provided in a form in which a glass fiberis wound around the heating wire or the heating wire is wound around aglass fiber. The insulating portion is a portion that forms an outershell of the flexible heater and serves to protect the heat generatingportion. The insulating portion may be made of a soft insulatingmaterial or an insulating material having elasticity. In this case, theflexible heater has a flexible property, and therefore the flexibleheater may be brought into close contact with an ice tray accommodatingice, or the flexible heater may be coupled to the tray in a zigzag form.A cord heater, for example, is an example of the flexible heater, butthe type of flexible heater is not limited thereto.

The flexible heater includes the heat generating portion and theinsulating portion, and therefore a diameter of the flexible heater maybe formed to be smaller (for example, 2 to 4 mm) than that of a sheathheater. That is, the diameter of the flexible heater may be formed to be⅓ to ½ the diameter of the sheath heater. The flexible heater has asmall diameter and a flexible property, and therefore it is possible toincrease an area in which the flexible heater comes into contact withthe tray when the flexible heater is formed on an outer circumferentialsurface of the ice tray.

The cord heater includes a connector for a power connection, aheat-generating cord heater wire, an attachment surface to which thecord heater wire is attached, electrothermal tape that adheres the cordheater wire and the attachment surface, and a connection terminal thatconnects a power input wire and the cord heater wire. Here, the cordheater wire is provided in a form in which a heat generating wire iswound around a glass fiber and an insulator for electrical insulation iswrapped around the resultant object. The connection terminal is formedby pressurizing a copper tube from an outside thereof to an insidethereof so that a radius thereof is decreased except for at both distalends of the connection terminal in which the power input wire and thecord heater wire may be inserted and at a central area of the connectionterminal in which the power input wire and the cord heater wire may beconnected to each other. The power input wire and the cord heater wireare respectively inserted into both distal ends of the connectionterminal obtained by pressurizing the copper tube in the above mannerand connected to each other at the central area of the connectionterminal. Next, a waterproof connection tube is mounted on the outsideof the connection terminal to prevent penetration of moisture from theoutside. The power input wire connected with the connector for powerconnection and the cord heater wire are connected by the connectionterminal, and thereby the cord heater receives power from the connectorfor power connection.

The control unit 410 of the ice maker 415 may receive a supply of acurrent through a power line from the main control unit 420 of therefrigerator 400. The control unit 410 may receive a signal of the icemaking sensor 413 to determine whether ice making is completed. When thecontrol unit 410 determines that ice making is completed, power may besupplied to the ice separation heater 412 to enable the ice separationheater 412 to apply heat to the tray. Meanwhile, when the control unit410 determines that ice making is completed, power may be supplied tothe motor 411 simultaneously with the supply of power to the iceseparation heater 412 or after a certain period of time has elapsed.However, a method by which the control unit 410 controls the iceseparation heater 412 and the motor 411 is not limited thereto and canbe changed into various types. For example, the control unit 410 mayperform PWM control on the power supplied to the ice separation heater412.

In addition, when the control unit 410 of the ice maker 415 determinesthat ice making is completed, the main control unit 420 of therefrigerator 400 may recognize the completion of ice making. Forexample, the control unit 410 of the ice maker 415 transmits a signal tothe main control unit 420 through the power line through which power isreceived from the main control unit 420 so that the main control unit420 may recognize the completion of ice making while supplying power tothe ice separation heater 412.

Alternatively, when a signal indicating the completion of ice making isreceived from the ice making sensor 413, the control unit 410 of the icemaker 415 may transmit a signal to the main control unit 420 through thepower line so that the main control unit 420 may recognize thecompletion of ice making.

As described above, the main control unit 420 that has received thesignal from the control unit 410 of the ice maker 415 may stop or reducea supply of power to at least one of the electronic components 422, thatis, the cold air blowing fan 423, the compressor motor 424, and theheater 425, or change a corresponding frequency.

By the main control unit 420 controlling the electronic components 422in the above manner, cold air circulation inside the refrigerator 400may be decreased or a drop in a temperature of the cold air may besuppressed, and thus heat applied to the tray by the ice separationheater 412 is not lost so that the ice separating operation may not beinterrupted and the total power consumption of the refrigerator may bereduced or maintained at a constant level.

Hereinafter, the ice maker 415 having a structure according to thepresent embodiment and operations of the refrigerator 400 will bedescribed.

First, when the control unit 410 of the ice maker 415 determines thatwater accommodated in a tray is frozen using a signal from the icemaking sensor 413, an ice separating operation is started. The controlunit 410 may supply power to the ice separation heater 412 during theice separating operation so that the ice separation heater 412 mayprovide heat to the tray. At this point, the control unit 410 of the icemaker 415 may enable the main control unit 420 to recognize an operationof the ice separation heater 412. For example, when supplying power tothe ice separation heater 412, the control unit 410 of the ice maker 415may generate an ice separation start signal and transmit the iceseparation start signal to the main control unit 420 through a powerline for supplying power from the main control unit 420 to the controlunit 410. Alternatively, for example, the control unit 410 of the icemaker 415 may transmit a signal indicating a completion of ice makingreceived from the ice making sensor 413 to the main control unit 420.

In addition, during the ice separating operation, the control unit 410may provide power to the motor 411 for providing a driving force to anejector so that the ejector may pressurize ice frozen in the tray todischarge the ice from the tray. At this point, the control unit 410 ofthe ice maker 415 may enable the main control unit 420 of therefrigerator to recognize an operation of the motor 411. For example,when power is supplied to the motor 411, the control unit 410 maygenerate a signal indicating the supply of the power to the motor 411and transmit the generated signal to the main control unit 420 of therefrigerator through the power line for supplying power from the maincontrol unit 420 to the control unit 410.

The main control unit 420 may stop or reduce the supply of power to theelectronic components 422 of the refrigerator or change thecorresponding frequency when the main control unit 420 recognizes thatice making in the ice maker 415 is completed.

FIG. 8 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to stillanother embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 8, a refrigerator 400′ according to still anotherembodiment of the present invention is different from the refrigerator400 according to another embodiment shown in FIG. 7 in that a maincontrol unit 420 of the refrigerator 400′ may measure and control acurrent supplied to an ice maker 415.

Hereinafter, focusing on differences with the refrigerator 400 accordingto another embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the refrigerator 400′ accordingto still another embodiment will be described.

The main control unit 420 of the refrigerator measures a magnitude of acurrent of power supplied from the main control unit 420 to an ice maker415. The main control unit 420 may compare the measured magnitude of thecurrent with a predetermined value and determine that an ice separationheater 412 of the ice maker 415 is operated when the measured magnitudeis equal to or larger than the predetermined value. Then, the maincontrol unit 420 may reduce or stop a supply of power to electroniccomponents 422 or change a corresponding frequency. For example, themain control unit 420 may reduce power supplied to a cold air blowingfan 423, thereby reducing power consumption. Alternatively, the maincontrol unit 420 may reduce or stop a supply of power to a compressormotor 424 or reduce a corresponding frequency.

In the above manner, when the magnitude of the current measured in themain control unit 420 is equal to or larger than the predeterminedvalue, the main control unit 420 of the refrigerator may determine thatthe ice separation heater 412 is operated and reduce or stop a supply ofpower to the cold air blowing fan 423 and the compressor motor 424 sothat cold air circulation inside the refrigerator may be reduced or adrop in the temperature of the cold air may be suppressed. As a result,the heat applied to the tray by the ice separation heater 412 is notlost so that the ice separating operation may not be interrupted and thetotal power consumption of the refrigerator may be maintained at aconstant level.

In addition, the main control unit 420 of the refrigerator may comparethe measured magnitude of the current with a second predetermined value,and determine that the motor 411 for supplying a driving force to theejector of the ice maker 415 is operated when the measured magnitude isequal to or larger than the second predetermined value. Then, the maincontrol unit 420 may reduce or stop a supply of power to the electroniccomponents 422, or change the corresponding frequency. For example, themain control unit 420 may reduce the power supplied to the cold airblowing fan 423, thereby reducing power consumption. Alternatively, themain control unit 420 may reduce or stop the supply of power to thecompressor motor 424 or reduce the corresponding frequency.

In this manner, when the magnitude of the current measured in the maincontrol unit 420 is equal to or larger than the second predeterminedvalue, the main control unit 420 of the refrigerator may determine thatthe motor 411 of the ejector is operated, and reduce or stop the supplyof power to the cold air blowing fan 423 and the compressor motor 424 sothat cold air circulation inside the refrigerator may be decreased or adrop in a temperature of the cold air may be suppressed, and thereforean ice separating operation may not be interrupted and a total powerconsumption of the refrigerator may be maintained at a constant level.

Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown anddescribed, those skilled in the art should appreciate that changes maybe made to these embodiments without departing from the principles andspirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claimsand their equivalents.

[Description of reference numerals]  10: Ice maker  11: Ice making tray 13: Ejector  13-1: Ejector shaft  13-2: Ejector fins  19: Ice bank 100:Ice maker 121: First heater 122: Second heater 130: Temperature sensor131: Position sensor 132: Timer 140: Power control operating system 200:Blowing fan 300: Compressor 410: Control unit 411: Motor 412: Iceseparation heater 413: Ice making sensor 415: Ice maker 420: Maincontrol unit 421: Power supply unit 422: Electronic components 423: Coldair blowing fan 424: Compressor motor 425: Heater 400; 400′:Refrigerator

1. A method for controlling an ice separation heater of an ice maker,wherein the ice maker includes an ice making tray that accommodates icemaking water; a motor that discharges ice of the ice making tray; andthe ice separation heater that is attached to a part of the ice makingtray, the method comprising one of the following steps: cross-managingand distributing power of the motor and the ice separation heater, orsimultaneously managing and distributing power of some of the motor andthe ice separation heater; and cross-managing and distributing power ofthe ice separation heater and some or all of electronic componentsmounted in the cooling chamber or mixedly managing and distributingpower of some of the electronic components and the ice separationheater.
 2. The method for controlling an ice separation heater of an icemaker of claim 1, wherein the ice separation heater receives full loadpower or power below the full load power.
 3. The method for controllingan ice separation heater of an ice maker of claim 1, wherein the iceseparation heater is any one of a film heater, a planar heater, a printheater, and a cord heater.
 4. An ice maker comprising: an ice makingtray that accommodates ice making water; an ice separation heater thatis attached to at least a part of the ice making tray and constituted ofa plurality of partial heaters; and a power control operating systemthat operates each of the partial heaters differently for eachcondition.
 5. (canceled)
 6. An ice maker comprising: an ice making traythat accommodates ice making water; a driving unit; and an iceseparation heater that is attached to the ice making tray, wherein theice maker has at least one of the following features: (i) DC power issupplied to the ice separation heater, (ii) a required amount of poweris supplied to the ice separation heater by controlling an electroniccomponent of the refrigerator during an ice separating operation of theice maker; and (iii) power supplied to the ice separation heater ispulse width modulation (PWM)-controlled.
 7. The ice maker of claim 6,wherein the ice separation heater is a planar heater.
 8. The ice makerof claim 6, wherein the DC power is supplied to the ice separationheater while the ice maker performs an ice separating operation.
 9. Theice maker of claim 6, wherein the required amount of power is suppliedto the ice separation heater by controlling an electronic component ofthe refrigerator during an ice separating operation of the ice maker.10. The ice maker of claim 6, wherein the ice maker transmits a signalindicating performance of an ice separating operation to a refrigerator.11. An ice maker for a refrigerator comprising: a tray that accommodatesa liquid; an ejector that discharges ice frozen in the tray; a firstheater that provides heat to the tray; and an ice maker control unit,wherein the ice maker transmits, to a refrigerator, a signal indicatinga completion of ice making or a start of an operation of the firstheater when the first heater is operated.
 12. The ice maker for arefrigerator of claim 11, wherein the ice maker control unit enables themain control unit to recognize the completion of ice making or the startof the operation of the first heater.
 13. The ice maker for arefrigerator of claim 12, wherein the ice maker control unit enables themain control unit to recognize the completion of ice making or the startof the operation of the first heater through a power line for receivingpower from the main control unit.
 14. The ice maker for a refrigeratorof claim 13, further comprising: a motor that supplies power to theejector, wherein the ice maker control unit enables the main controlunit to recognize an operation of the motor when the motor is operated.15. The ice maker for a refrigerator of claim 14, wherein the ice makercontrol unit notifies the main control unit of the operation of themotor through the power line for receiving power from the main controlunit.
 16. The ice maker for a refrigerator of claim 11, furthercomprising: an ice making sensor that detects whether the liquid in thetray is frozen, wherein the ice maker control unit notifies the maincontrol unit of the completion of ice making when the ice maker controlunit receives a signal of the ice making sensor.
 17. The ice maker for arefrigerator of claim 16, wherein the ice maker control unit notifiesthe main control unit of the completion of ice making through a powerline for receiving power from the main control unit.
 18. A refrigeratorwhich includes the ice maker of claim 11, wherein the refrigeratorincludes a main control unit that measures or controls a currentsupplied to the ice maker.
 19. The refrigerator of claim 18, wherein themain control unit reduces or shuts off power supplied to an electroniccomponent of the refrigerator when the main control unit recognizes astart of an operation of the first heater by the ice maker control unit.20. The refrigerator of claim 18, wherein the main control unit reducesor shuts off power supplied to an electronic component of therefrigerator when the main control unit recognizes an operation of amotor for supplying power to the ejector.
 21. (canceled)
 22. Therefrigerator of claim 18, wherein the main control unit compares amagnitude of the measured current with a predetermined value and reducesor shuts off power supplied to an electronic component of therefrigerator when the magnitude is equal to or larger than thepredetermined value.
 23. The refrigerator of claim 18, wherein theelectronic component is at least one of a compressor motor, a blowingfan for blowing cold air, and a second heater mounted in therefrigerator.
 24. The ice maker of claim 6, wherein the power suppliedto the ice separation heater is pulse width modulation (PWM)-controlled.25. The method of claim 1, wherein the method comprises cross-managingand distributing power of the motor and the ice separation heater, orsimultaneously managing and distributing power of some of the motor andthe ice separation heater.
 26. The method of claim 1, wherein the methodcomprises cross-managing and distributing power of the ice separationheater and some or all of electronic components mounted in the coolingchamber or mixedly managing and distributing power of some of theelectronic components and the ice separation heater.